Liars Club

I just find it a sad commentary on life when people feel they have to lie to get what they want. And then when they're caught, they very rarely take responsibility. They usually say, "I wasn't aware," "I didn't realize," "I never meant to mislead," "I didn't understand."

Please.

Two cases currently in the news. Well, actually they're a bit old now. But anyway. I'm not going to provide links because probably by the time I find links they'll be outdated by tomorrow. But the first case is the contestant from "Survivor," the school cafeteria worker. Denise. On the "Survivor" live reunion show, she told the audience that she had been demoted to school janitor when she returned from the show, because she was "too famous." I watched the show. And I felt sorry for her. She painted herself as a hard worker, trying to make ends meet for her husband and kids. She played on the sympathy of the audience and the producers of the show, talking about having to clean toilets, and how the job made her feel emotionally. At every reunion show now, the viewers at home vote to give someone $100,000 as the "fan favorite" of the season. Denise was in the top 3 for the award, but she didn't win. When they returned from commercial, Jeff announced that the series creater, Mark Burnett, was "so touched" by Denise's story that he was writing her a check for $50,000. Denise beamed. The audience cheered. Denise's family looked like they were crying. A Hallmark moment.

Except the story was a lie. Oh, Denise really did become a janitor for the school. But she REQUESTED the job change, BEFORE she left for the show. The janitor job pays more than the lunch lady job. She wasn't demoted. She made the choice to take the job.

Did she really think the truth wouldn't come out? Did she think she could lie on national television, and her employers wouldn't be watching? So the truth came out, and Denise released a statement, saying she "didn't intend to mislead anyone." She also said she was planning to donate the money to charity. Goody for her, but is that supposed to make up for what she did? What kind of example is she setting for her children?

Which is a great segue for story #2. Short and sweet. A little girl wanted to see Hannah Montana in concert. A company was sponsoring an essay contest and the winner won two tickets and a makeover. The little girl wrote the essay about her father, a soldier who had been killed in Iraq.

Yep. Her father was not dead and not in the military. Her mother admitted helping her write the essay. Her excuse. "We didn't know it had to be a true story."

The prize was awarded to another girl. But this child lost a lot more than concert tickets. I can appreciate that the mother wanted to see her daughter's dreams come true. But to make her daughter complicit in any kind of lie, and especially in one of such magnitude....I just feel so badly for that child. I can only imagine what kind of torment she is facing, at school and in her neighborhood.

I guess that's one of the major problems in our society. People act first and think later. They want what they want and they go after it no matter what the consequences. And they don't consider the collateral damage...to their communities...their families...their children.

librarianintx

O Iowa

Its OBAMA time in Iowa!!

I haven't blogged about Obama before? I know I've journaled about him. His speech at the DNC made me stand up in the middle of my roommate's bedroom and applaud. Without a doubt he is the politician of my life. I have never been so interested in seeing someone get elected, although I did stay up until 4 am when Gore "won" in 2000. I would like to get involved in his campaign, and maybe now that I'm feeling better I'll be able to. Last night was quite exciting. I know its "only the Iowa Caucus." There is still a lot of time for anything to happen. But history WAS made last night. And I loved watching it happen. He is such a brilliant speaker. Of course I worry about his inexperience. And to be perfectly honest I have expected more of him from the debates. But like I said, there is still time. He's got huge momentum, and he needs to maintain it. Next stop: New Hampshire!

librarianintx